Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:
93
Mr. Eamon Ryan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the numbers in each category in 2001 in relation to the community employment scheme and the local training initiatives and community youth training; the number of places envisaged in each category for autumn; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13727/02]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:
96
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if her attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by community and voluntary organisations at the cutbacks in the number of places on community employment schemes; if she will reconsider the cutbacks having regard to commitments given in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness that the numbers would not be allowed to fall below 28,000 before 2003, and the serious problems being created for communities as a result of the cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13624/02]
Seán Crowe
Ceist:
99
Mr. Crowe
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her plans for the future of community employment schemes; the number of people who will be retained in such schemes; the number laid off from them; and the contingencies which have been put in place to ensure that the valuable work done by people on these schemes is continued.
[13736/02]
Joan Burton
Ceist:
100
Ms Burton
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the number of places on community employment schemes at the commencement of the PPF; the number at the beginning of 2002; the current number; the anticipated number at the end of 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13625/02]
Seán Ryan
Ceist:
128
Mr. S. Ryan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment,
in regard to the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government, the specific steps which will be taken to support the positive role of the community employment schemes to meet the needs of both the long-term unemployed and the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13648/02]
Tony Gregory
Ceist:
131
Mr. Gregory
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her policy on the future of community employment schemes.
[13738/02]
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:
141
Mr. Connaughton
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the number of places she intends to reduce the community employment workforce to by the end of 2002; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a huge problem with many small local communities who are unable to man such schemes; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are many people who will be denied work on the social employment schemes who will go back directly on the dole; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13391/02]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:
145
Mr. Naughten
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the type and scale of the review which is planned for FÁS community training and employment projects; her plans to consult the voluntary groups providing this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13410/02]
John Bruton
Ceist:
146
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her plans for the community employment scheme in view of the commitments to this scheme in the Programme for Government.
[13450/02]
Seán Haughey
Ceist:
153
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the position regarding community employment schemes; if the number on these schemes are to be reduced; if these reductions are part of the PPF; if she will review these cuts in view of the invaluable role such schemes play in local communities particularly in areas of disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13791/02]
Pat Carey
Ceist:
154
Mr. Carey
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the policy of her Department in relation to the retention of the community employment schemes; if it is proposed to ring-fence these schemes especially where they are used to support key initiatives in areas of disadvantage and where target groups involved in these schemes are in many cases unlikely to progress to mainstream employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13801/02]
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:
156
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her proposals to meet concerns (details supplied) regarding the proposed cuts in community employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13857/02]
Joan Burton
Ceist:
159
Ms Burton
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her proposals in relation to community employment schemes; and the number of people to be retained on community employment schemes specifically in Dublin 15.
[13894/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 96, 99, 100, 128, 131, 141, 145, 146, 153, 154, 156 and 159 together.
In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment, participation levels are gradually being reduced reflecting the significant reduction in the numbers of the long-term unemployed, and the shift in emphasis away from work experience programmes to training, from which there is a greater level of progression to employment.
The PPF contains a commitment to reduce overall place numbers on CE to 28,000 by 2003 through a reallocation of funding equivalent to 5,000 places to the social economy, together with the reduction of 4,500 places required by the Government's decision of 21 July 1999.
The mainstreaming of schools services currently under way and the proposed mainstreaming of other essential services, including the health and environmental sectors, will further reduce the numbers employed on the programme. This has been confirmed by my Department in detail on a number of occasions in the context of discussions with the social partner representatives in the PPF Standing Committee on the Labour Market. I have also made this posi tion clear in my responses to a number of previous parliamentary questions on the restructuring of CE.
There were 36,027 participants on CE in November 1999 at the commencement of the PPF and 30,308 in December 2001. There were 30,809 participants on CE at the beginning of 2002 and 28,246 at May. It is anticipated that the year end participation rate will be in the region of 24,000 to 25,000 places, depending on the rate of inflows and outflows on the scheme. The level of participation in 2003 will be determined by the degree to which optimal numbers of CE places suitable for mainstreaming are identified, and by the outcome of discussions and consultations with key stakeholders and members of the PPF Standing Committee on the Labour Market.
This phased reduction in place numbers is part of a strategic shift in policy in favour of greater investment in training and other supports, e.g. social economy and the new high supports process, which I hope can be launched in the near future.
I am fully aware of the concerns of sponsors from community organisations regarding the implications of the reduction in CE places for the provision of community services. FÁS prioritises projects according to the types of services provided and levels of unemployment in the locality. It will co-ordinate reductions so as to minimise the negative effects on groups and services most in need of CE. Priority groups include the drugs task forces, child care service provision and designated disadvantaged areas covered by the new RAPID programme and BMW regions.
In addition, the social economy programme is available to support the development of social economy enterprises that will benefit the economic and social regeneration of communities. Local social economy working groups have been established in the 38 designated disadvantaged partnership areas and in 16 non-partnership areas. In this way the social economy is targeted at areas which traditionally have had high dependence on services provided under CE.
A review of active labour market programmes as provided for under the PPF has recently commenced under the aegis of the Standing Committee on the Labour Market, which is chaired by my Department. This committee includes representatives of the community pillar, employers and trade unions, as well as other Departments and FÁS. Recently consultants were appointed by my Department to facilitate a rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of existing programmes which will help to inform the deliberations of the standing committee. Terms of reference for the consultants' work were agreed by a steering group representing the standing committee, which includes the social partners.
I recognise the range of valued services across communities which have been provided with the support of CE schemes. The mainstreaming initiative recognises that certain key support services, such as in the education and health areas can best be provided through the Department with functional responsibility in the relevant area. This is why the appropriate funding transfers from FÁS to the Departments in question.
FÁS is undertaking its own internal review of CE, which should further inform the prioritising of activity within CE, taking account of the needs of disadvantaged groups and the provision of services to areas experiencing severe social and economic disadvantage. In addition, FÁS also intends to carry out a fundamental review of the community training programme in consultation with sponsors, participants, employers and relevant Departments. The future policy direction of active labour market programmes, including CE, will be informed by the outcome of these processes.
FÁS employment services continue to be available to assist persons who have completed their term on CE and are now ready to progress to work in the open labour market. It is worth noting that the continuing strong demand for work permits for low skilled positions suggests that persons finishing their contractual term on CE are facing into a buoyant labour market.
The numbers of persons availing of local training initiatives, community training and job initiatives programmes at December, 2001 were 1,514, 1,131 and 2,649 respectively. Participation levels anticipated for October are 1,590, 900 and 2,700 respectively.
CE supervisors are employed by their sponsor organisations. As a direct result of the overall restructuring of CE and of the mainstreaming of schools services a number of supervisor positions are becoming redundant. FÁS employment services will ensure that such supervisors are made aware of employment opportunities arising in the social economy programme or other CE schemes. With their consent, redundant supervisors will also be placed on the FÁS regional database of CE supervisors for future prospective supervisors.
